Between Changing Diapers and Introducing Bands...

by Doug MacRostie

While it looked potentially rainy that morning and the sun didn't shine (steady) until the last band, the 5th Annual 91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Festival was a huge success. I don't actually know the final numbers (I think we had around 200 people at the amphitheater), but the main goal was to break even, and I feel confident we did. But, that's not my job to figure out; I view this from a musical perspective and what fun it was!!! You can see a Highlight Video here and check out the pix in our Online Photo Album. Thanks to everyone who came out and spent the day enjoying MN music in our backyard :D

I heard a lot of feedback during the event from the crowd, 99% positive. I have to say, while Hans Blix and Hobo Nephews are more 'traditional' KAXE crowd-pleasers, most were very open to the high energy rockin' sounds of Clawthroat and Sick of Sarah, which was encouraging to see. Also, the crowd had a lot of new (and younger) faces than a typical KAXE event and youth is the future, so that was great to see too!

Hans Blix and Weapons Inspectors put on a great set of traditional old-time and fiddle tunes with duo fiddles, duo guitars, mandolin and stand-up base with 3+ part harmonies and excellent instrumental pieces. It was the perfect beginning for the concert as they got toes tappin' with old-time rhythms along with some great Old Crow Medicine Show interpretations.

I had pretty high expectations for each band, and none of them disappointed. But, I have to say that The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank blew my expectations out of the water - the music and performance was excellent, their musicianship shined and their drummer was phenomenal! Everything about them is so unique - from the singing voices of Ian and Teague, the sound and style of the tunes and excellent chemistry the band had pulled everyone into their top-notch performance.

Clawthroat came out and nailed it. Seriously, they were so tight and spot on! With complex music matched by flowing melodies and clever lyrics they put out more energy than MN power (snap...). Kris was so much fun to watch on drums; my highlight being when one of his sticks shattered and went flying and he kept rockin' with just one hand - it was awesome, he kept not just the rhythm going, but did the fills and rolls too (video highlight of that coming up later).

Sick of Sarah rocked out and while everyone would have liked to see them play for another half hour, the set the put on was high energy and highly entertaining. The onstage antics and personality of singer Abisha added the right amount of humor and entertainment to an in-your-face rockin' band. But, I have to say I enjoyed Brooke's drumming the most - she was just FLYING and ended the evening with a rousing drum solo. When the band first kicked in and I was up front recording some video highlights, a nice 50+ gentleman was standing next to me doing the same. When we went and sat down I heard him say, "Wow, what a voice and such energy! Amazing" to which his companion responded, "It's not really my kind of music." He replied, "it isn't my kind of music either, but WOW" (which is, to me, the ideal KAXE listener: open-minded to different kinds of music beyond your fav).

Each of the bands brought a different sound and style to the stage, and the progression from traditional, to interpretive roots, to crazy folk-rock and in your face rock-n-roll was definitely worth the ride, and I think everyone had a high appreciation for local radio supporting local MN musicians.

Also, a BIG thanks to Penny Holcumb (who was working on her birthday!) and Jennifer Poenix who took care of volunteer organization and more of the business end of managing the event, including the Green Room for the artists which was a beautiful spread. As the Hobo Nephews said, "We're going to write down everything you guys have on this table and use it to come up with our Rider...this is excellent." Penny did say this years festival was the best b-day party a girl could ask for, and Sick of Sarah even wished her a happy 22nd b-day :D Also thanks to John Bauer for lining up our sponsors U Care and Hawkinson Redi-mix, who truly made this event possible and thanks to Dan Houg who managed the onsite set-up and technical issues. And another BIG thanks to all the volunteers who helped with the box office, merch sales, security and more.

What's next? Well, I'm heading off to 10KLF and I intend to do some video highlights (like the video for the MRF) which should be fun - stay tuned for more info on that.

Mississippi River Festival Highlight Reel

The 5th Annual 91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Festival featured MN musicians on July, 18th 2009 w Hans Blix and the Weapons Inspectors, The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, Clawthroat and Sick of Sarah. It was an excellent afternoon/evening of music...here's just a taste of the fun...

Concert Event of the Summer is THIS Saturday!!!

by Doug MacRostie

From inventive roots music to straight-up rock, the Mississippi River Festival is going to ROCK this year!!! For our 5th Annual MRF comin' up THIS Saturday we're featuring MN musicians under the Rotary Tent at KAXE's amphitheater on the North bank of the Mississippi River in downtown Grand Rapids, and seriously - I can't decide which band I am most excited to see. Plus, the forecast for Saturday is Mostly Sunny and 75 (has held steady since last weekend, w000t :D).

As part of our preperation for Saturday, this week on Centerstage MN I'll be featuring highlights of music and conversation with each of the bands; Hans Blix and the Weapons Inspectors, The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, Clawthroat and Sick of Sarah.

I'll start off with some bits and pieces of my conversation w Joseph Downing of Clawthroat, talking about the new EP "Know Yr Roots," AND, Joseph brought along his guitar and debuted a BRAND NEW SONG which we'll also hear.

While I haven't had the opportunity to get Hans Blix and Weapons Inspectors on for an interview, I do have a secret demo recording from a few years back to play. This 6 piece traditional acoustic string band has been hanging out in Brainerd waiting for the next call from the United Nations.... :D

Then we'll hear highlights from my conversation w Ian and Teague Alexy of the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank. I talked with them about their latest experimental EP 'One for the Time Capsule," and they each announce their top Dylan album.

And we'll hear Abisha Uhl and Jamie Holm talking about the self-titled debut CD "Sick of Sarah." Abisha grew up in Japan (east of China) and is lead-singer and guitarist, Jamie Holm grew up in Clearbrook (west of Bemidji) and plays bass and sings backup vocals.

Again, the MRF this Saturday is going to be a great time! Tix are $25, 19 and under is just $15, and KAXE members get a $10 discount, 12 and under are free, and bring your own chairs and coolers. You can order tickets online HERE, or call KAXE at 218-326-1234. Oh, and did you see the cover story from Scenes and Screens in the Grand Rapids Herald?

Centerstage MN is Thursday evening's at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.

I Am SOOO Not Sick of Sarah

by Doug MacRostie

This week on Centerstage MN my guests are Abisha Uhl and Jamie Holm, 2 of the 5 ladies that are Sick of Sarah, an indie rock band out of Minneapolis. Their self-titled debut CD drives down the Rock highway with Pop dragging behind. Some of the songs like "Breakdown" seem to make it impossible to drive the speed limit, while a song like the acoustic "Fall" slows down, opens up and shows a totally different side. They've got catchy melodies, beautiful harmonies and enough attitude for that edgy feel. I am very excited to have Abisha and Jamie on this week!!!

I am also totally pumped because I have some brand-spanking-new CDs to share. Like the new Clawthroat EP "Know Yr Roots." Singer, guitarist and songwriter Joseph Downing joined me last year when they landed a gig at the Winnipeg Folk Fest w/ their demo relase. The demo was great, but the EP has some new songs and new recordings of a couple songs from the demo. Clawthroat's style is hard to describe, sort of a roots folk-rock/americana; like they've taken an old style and modernized it. I plan to have Joseph on to talk about it soon :D

And I'll be playing the new Two Many Banjos CD "Can't Slow Me Down." This is their 4th CD in 2 years and Marc Gartman's songwriting is in full stride with this one! I really enjoy Marc's work (he's been on before about previous TMB CDs, and the Marc Gartband) and once again I have been pleasently surprised. Two Many Banjos continue to push folk/bluegrass boundaries to their limits and I am also planning to get Marc back on to talk about it. Oh, and I hear they are already working on album #5, and expect to release it before the year is out...so yeah, they really can't be slowed down.

And I'll try calling Dylan's cell number again. After finding the # on my desk last week, I ended up leaving Bob a message. Maybe I'll actually reach him this time...

Centerstage MN is every Thursday evening at 6pm streaming live at KAXE.org, or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. You can hear all my interview from Centerstage MN archived at KAXE.org, and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.

Did You Know that Bob Dylan is From MN?!?!?!

by Doug MacRostie

We'll be celebrating Bob Dylan all hour this week on Centerstage MN. I'll be talking with Gene LaFond, he and the Wild Unknown will be performing with Dylan's famed violinist from the 70's, Scarlet Rivera on Sat. the 23rd as part of Dylan Days in Hibbing, happening from May 21st-24th. Gene traveled with Dylan back in the Rolling Thunder days and has been a singer and songwriter his entire life. Beyond the obvious subject, we'll also talk about Gene and Bob's friend Larry Kegan, who was inspiration for both from his wheel chair (there is a good story w a lot more info about Larry Kegan at Gene's website: www.genelafond.com/CDbio.html). We'll also hear from Aaron Brown, one of the organizers of Dylan Days, about all the different things happening. More info is at www.dylandays.com.

AND GUESS WHAT!!! I found Bob Dylan's cell # on my desk the other morning, so I'll play a song from his new CD Together Through Life and then try giving him a call!!! (thanks to whoever dropped his # off!).

I'll also celebrate Dylan with some excellent covers of his tunes by Minnesota bands including Mason Jennings, The First Ladies, Crazy Betty, Bittersweet and The State Champs.

Next week my guests will be Abisha Uhl and Jamie Holm, 2 of the 5 ladies that are Sick of Sarah, an indie rock band out of Minneapolis. Their debut, self-titled release mixes rock and pop with a punk attitude. From harmonies and melodies, to pounding drums and jammin' guitars, these ladies are ready to rock and I am really excited to have them on the show.

Centerstage MN is on KAXE every Thursday evening at 6, streaming live online at www.kaxe.org, or 91.7fm Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji, and rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.

An Acoustic Edition of Centerstage MN... (not really)

by Doug MacRostie

Tonight on Centerstage MN I'll be joined in the studio by local singer songwriter Pat Deal, he'll bring along his guitar for some live music and conversation. Pat writes his own music and also does covers ranging from The Beatles to They Might Be Giants. His original music (that I've heard) ranges from an indie rock sound similar to Sean Lennon to more of a pop-punk feel similar to Green Day. I'll talk with him about songwriting and the music scene in Grand Rapids.

I've got a new CD from Bill and Kate Isles called "Matching Baggage," which has that classic Bill Isles friendly-folk sound. His wife Kate has sung with him on previous CDs, but I believe this is the first time they have co-released an album. And I've got a brand new recording from Kiki and Greg of Dancing Light that they recording while in Florida last month.

Take Cover, the pop-rockers out of Minneapolis w/ bass player Chad Snell from Marcell, have recorded an acoustic version of one of their songs, and we'll hear that along with another new song from the all female indie rockers Sick of Sarah self titled debut release.

And, not only will we see the light, we'll love it, fear it and get over it all in one set of music with The Ophovens Family Band, Charlie Parr and Two Many Banjos. Also Haley Bonar, Matt Hoskins and Hattie Peterson.

Oh, and some exciting news - I've got an interview/in-studio performance scheduled with The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank which will be coming up in June - they're latest EP release is One for the Time Capsule and we'll hear a new song off that tonight as well.

Centerstage MN is every Thursday evening at 6 streaming live at KAXE.org, or 91.7 in Grand Rapids, 89.9 in Brainerd and 105.3 in Bemidji. All interview from Centerstage MN are also archived at KAXE.org, and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.